Du Toit, Malik offered on loan

Leicestershire have responded to the worsening financial position, exacerbated by a rain-ruined Twenty20 campaign, by making Jacques du Toit and Nadeem Malik available for loan with immediate effect.

Neither player will have their contracts removed at the end of the season and have had little success during a poor season for Leicestershire, who are second bottom of Division Two and endured a disastgrous defence of their Freiends Lifet20 crown.

Mike Siddall, Leicestershire's chief executive, said: "Both Jacques and Nadeem have given the Club excellent service over recent years and we wish them well in their future endeavours."

However, with every county feeling the pinch as one of county cricket's wettest seasons continues unabated, it is questionable whether Leicestershire will manage to reduce their wage bill by loaning out the players.